Shanahan finally lands his longtime target. Raheem Morris arrives to fortify the 49ers' defense, bringing Super Bowl pedigree and a decade-long connection.
The San Francisco 49ers have found their next defensive leader.
On Sunday, NFL Network insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported that the 49ers are hiring former Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris as their new defensive coordinator, filling the vacancy left by Robert Saleh’s departure to become head coach of the Tennessee Titans.
For San Francisco, the hire represents experience and familiarity at a time when the organization is looking to stabilize a defense that battled significant adversity throughout the 2025 season.
Morris most recently spent two seasons as the head coach in Atlanta, compiling a 16–18 record while overseeing a roster in transition. Prior to that, he served as the Los Angeles Rams’ defensive coordinator from 2021–23, helping lead the Rams to a Super Bowl LVI victory in his first season with the team. That résumé made Morris one of the more accomplished defensive minds available this cycle.
The timing of the hire came together quickly once the Arizona Cardinals finalized their decision to hire Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur as their next head coach. Morris had been a candidate for that position, and once Arizona moved in another direction, the door opened for San Francisco to make its move.
Morris also brings extensive familiarity with head coach Kyle Shanahan. The two crossed paths multiple times early in their careers, first on Jon Gruden’s staff with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, then later in Washington, and again in Atlanta when Shanahan served as the Falcons’ offensive coordinator from 2015–16. Shanahan originally attempted to hire Morris when he took over the 49ers in 2017, but Atlanta blocked that interview at the time.
Nearly a decade later, the pairing finally comes together.
Morris inherits a defense whose 2025 numbers don’t fully reflect the context of the season. The 49ers finished 13th in points allowed and 20th in total yards allowed, but they ranked dead last in the NFL with just 20 sacks. Injuries ravaged the unit from the start, with stars Nick Bosa and Fred Warner suffering early season ending injuries and several young contributors landing on injured reserve throughout the year.
Despite those setbacks, San Francisco still managed a 12–5 record and reached the Divisional Round, an achievement that underscored the resilience of the roster but also highlighted the need for a defensive reset.
That’s where Morris comes in.
Known for his adaptability and ability to maximize personnel, Morris will be tasked with revitalizing the pass rush while reintegrating cornerstone players expected to return healthy in 2026. His defenses with the Rams were not statistically dominant, finishing between 17th and 20th in yards allowed across three seasons, but they were disciplined, situationally sound, and capable of peaking at the right time.
There are still questions surrounding the rest of the defensive staff. Assistant head coach Gus Bradley was viewed as the top internal candidate to replace Saleh, and it remains unclear whether he will remain in San Francisco or pursue opportunities elsewhere.
What is clear is that the 49ers prioritized experience and stability in this hire. With Shanahan firmly in control of the offense, Morris steps into a role where he can focus solely on restoring a defense that once set the standard in the NFC.
If Morris can help San Francisco rediscover that identity, the 49ers’ championship window remains very much open for the 2026 season.